Since January 12, 2024, a series of winter storms and an outbreak of cold air have led to at least 40 deaths across nine US states. The severe weather has caused significant disruptions, including power outages affecting over 85 000 homes and businesses in Oregon, hazardous travel conditions, and extensive road closures. The latest forecasts indicate another round of extreme cold and heavy snowfall across the central and eastern US.
The eye of Tropical Cyclone “Belal” passed over the northern part of Reunion Island (population 870 000), shortly after 06:00 UTC on January 15, 2024, with maximum sustained winds of 148 km/h (92 mph), and gusts to 213 km/h (132 mph).
At least 11 people have died in Rio de Janeiro after a month’s worth of rain hit parts of the city, turning roads into raging rivers, the fire department confirmed on Sunday, January 15, 2024. The northern parts of the city were particularly affected, with incidents of landslides, drownings, and electrocutions reported.
A severe winter storm, characterized by heavy snowfall and strong wind gusts exceeding 80 km/h (50 mph) in some areas, swept through southern Ontario on Friday, January 12, 2024. The storm led to widespread power outages, with over 30 000 reported by Hydro One. Additionally, the storm caused significant disruptions at Toronto-Pearson International Airport, leading to numerous flight cancellations and delays.
A potent, fast-moving storm is expected to bring historical coastal flooding to Maine on Saturday morning (LT), January 13, 2024. The state is bracing for a combination of major coastal flooding, strong winds, heavy rainfall, and snow in mountainous regions, predominantly during the morning. The most severe rain and wind conditions are forecasted between 06:00 and 10:00 LT, with the most critical coastal flooding anticipated around 12:00 LT, coinciding with the high tide.
Argentina’s famed wine region, Mendoza, was hit by an intense storm on January 11, 2024, with large hailstones and heavy rainfall. Local authorities are assessing the impact on the vineyards, with concerns over the size of the hail and subsequent flooding.
Residents of Mauritius and La Reunion are bracing for a possible significant impact from a developing tropical cyclone — Tropical Cyclone 05S, expected to rapidly intensify and pass between the islands on January 15, 2024, as a Category 3 hurricane equivalent. When named (Belal), this will be the second named storm of the 2023/24 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season.
The Congo River has surged to its highest level in over six decades, unleashing devastating floods in both the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Congo Republic. The floods have claimed more than 300 lives in recent months and affected hundreds of thousands of households.
The National Weather Service has confirmed that the tornado that struck Panama City Beach, Florida, on January 9, 2024, was an EF3, marking the first occurrence of such a severe tornado in Bay County in over half a century.
The United States is bracing for its first significant Arctic air outbreak of the winter, impacting the north-central region with bitterly cold wind chills and extending through the weekend. The northern Rockies and Plains are particularly at risk, with the Arctic surge also expected to bring record-breaking cold to the south-central U.S.
